Around one million British nationals have been urged to get new driving licence before March 29, 2019, in case the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal in place - and warned they could have to re-take their driving test.

And UK-based haulage firms have been advised to apply for ECMT international haulage permits for 2019, as this will allow their drivers to operate in the EU with a UK-issued Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification - which will not be the case if leave the EU with out any deals or agreements in place.

The guidance issued by the Department for Transport (DoT) yesterday reads "If you are a UK licence holder living in the EU or EEA you should exchange your UK driving licence for a local EU driving licence before 29 March 2019."

"From that date, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may have to pass a driving test in the EU country you live in to be able to carry on driving there."

"You should consider exchanging your UK driving licence for an EU driving licence as soon as possible. Increased demand may lead to longer processing times and delays to exchanging driving licences the closer it is to 29 March 2019.

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From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, EU and EEA countries may not recognise UK issued community licences, says the DoT

However, the DoT says "the government is confident that it would be able to negotiate new or reinstate old bilateral agreements with EU countries to provide haulage access" - but it does not indicate how long these negotiations could take, or what level of disruption is likely, and says transport managers may wish to apply for ECMT international haulage permits for 2019.

"ECMT permits will enable UK operators to drive in the EU and EEA (except Cyprus) if UK issued community licences are not recognised. ECMT permits are also recognised in 16 other countries," says the DoT.

Meanwhile tourists have been warned they will have to spend £5.50 on a permit, available from the Post Office, if the UK leaves the without a deal.

The Department of Transport says: "On 28 March 2019, the type of international driving permit (IDP) that some countries outside the EU and EEA recognise will change.

"From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may need an IDP in addition to your UK driving licence to drive in EU and EEA countries.

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"If you hold a UK driving licence you should not need an IDP to drive in Ireland from 29 March 2019 as Ireland does not currently require IDPs to be held by driving licence holders from non-EU countries."

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